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Al Dunbar

from A Subtle Reminder by Mallz

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about

Full disclosure: I wrote this song as a filler track. I've been making mostly two-verse songs for nearly a decade and decided to write an "old school" three-verse song. I didn't think anything of it until Sharp and I played it for Precyce and he loved it. He also suggested it be the second part to the "Come Again" video.

Also, the name of the song is from an episode of "What's Happening" where a bootlegger named Al Dunbar tricked ReRun and Roger to tape the Doobie Brothers concert that was happening that weekend. ReRun hid the tape recorder in his jacket pocket and towards the end of the show, he jumped up to cheer and the tape recorder fell out of his pocket. Hence the chorus "they ask when you gonna drop the tape" and also the line "These Al Dunbars got me asking What's Happening/I do be (Doobie) heavy on the obscure references..."

lyrics

I live my life in a flow state
Ready to step like new greeks at a probate
Wondering how many times is it gon’ take
‘Fore you learn time and money’s two things that I don’t waste
At first impression I’m a modern day Monet
Survey the landscape and rep for the whole state
Big Tech got an effect on the growth rate
Now the rent is too high and natives gotta relocate
Back in ’08, I was desolate and destitute
Learned the hard way nobody’s gonna rescue you
Put in action all the things my mind was set to do
And now my ends meet. Connected like a vestibule
I don’t think in terms of things that I would never do
I see the vision, make the plan and then I execute
Before my breath is through take note of what I left with you
A decade plus. Track record is impeccable

I hear them ask, Mallz when you gonna drop the tape
I ask myself how much stress can a nigga take
They’re like Mallz when you gonna drop the tape
I ask myself how much stress can I…

Late nights and early mornings
Rapper life is hard but I didn’t heed the warnings
Make the most of it though my status low budget
Trying to make a couple hundred though my buzz is steady soaring
More than meets the ears, the game is smoke and mirrors
Your people thing you’re stacking but have no idea
You hear the voice and you know it’s high quality
Your favorite rapper probably owes you an apology
I stay consistent, no outliers or anomalies
The Grammy snub who can body all the nominees
All I need’s my Bash Bros and my cash flow
A quiet dude, you probably thought I was an asshole
Then again, that’s probably accurate
These Al Dunbars got me asking What’s Happening
I do be heavy on the obscure references
Regardless if you catching it, you still get the messages

I hear them ask, Mallz when you gonna drop the tape
I ask myself how much stress can a nigga take
They be like Mallz when you gonna drop the tape
I ask myself how much stress…

Every song’s an open letter just to know me better
I’m laser focused. Shoot my shot like an old beretta
Trying to get to nine mil then I’m copacetic
And toe the line between go-getter and overzealous
I developed a seventh sense, no embellishment
And never shied away from my own intelligence
An introvert, no need to ask me where the hell I went
I’m in the house, solitude’s the best medicine
Ever since my first release my moves are purposely
Calculated. Made with a sense of urgency
I learned when to fire back and when to turn the cheek
And left the opps waiting, sweating me nervously
Came on the scene with a gift and a firm belief
That I’m a beast. Worked hard and I earned my keep
I played the back while I stacked clout and currency
A decade plus in my prime with all certainty

credits

from A Subtle Reminder, released April 19, 2023
Lyrics: Mallz
Beat: Sharp Cuts
Mixing and Mastering: Sharp Cuts
Recorded at Sharp Cuts' studio, Cary, NC

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Mallz Raleigh, North Carolina

Originally from northeastern North Carolina, Mallz has called Raleigh home since 2010 & has been a staple in the state's indie hip hop scene. His tireless work ethic and DIY attitude has brought him success with an extensive catalog - three mixtapes, five LPs and 12 EPs. He's collaborated and shared stages with artists like Rapper Big Pooh, Nappy Roots, Cappadonna, and many more. ... more

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